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Thanks-LIVING…

America is about to celebrate a land that is still bountiful, a culture that values freedom – how many will give God all the credit?

As we spend a couple days eating too much, laughing a bit more – maybe we can extend the once-a-year to moment-by-moment. Not just giving thanks and moving on, but living thanks. Whether we enjoy a life that doesn’t give the bank account much thought or we hold our breath til the next paycheck – isn’t there much to look heavenward and give thanks for?

Each breath a gift, any love we enjoy here on earth welcomed, heap on all the ‘stuff’ we may have, and top it off with the wonder of creation. All people are rich – from the ‘least’ to the ‘greatest’, God grants the luxury of salvation to any who will accept. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

Thanks-Living, how does it look? I see it in others: trips to far away locales where dirt floors and no a/c are the norm; time spent at a nursing home with old, lonely souls; hard earned dollars to organizations that meet needs and speak Jesus.

Maybe we can’t always, or maybe ever, do those things. But can we smile at everyone? Leave our judgmental attitudes at home? Open a door for a stroller pushing mom?

Whenever we’re recognized for our abilities, our cute children, our nice car, etc. – can we just plain out say: ‘oh, it’s a blessing, more than I deserve’ ? That’s the reason for Thanks-Living: knowing what we deserve we don’t get (God’s eternal judgement) and what we don’t deserve we do get (God’s promise of forever with no pain, need, fear, or sorrow).

“Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28 GNT)

Happy Thanks-Living – may you and I find more ways to live in reverence and awe – to be filled not with earthly things but stuffed to overflowing with the riches of our God who so generously gave it all for us.